Container for transporting and storing liquefied gases



Dec. 5, 1933. H. o. EDWARDS CONTAINER FOR TRANSPORTING AND STORING LIQUEFIED GASES Filed July 22. 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 9 ATTO NEYS Dec. 5, 1933.' D. EDWARDS 1,937,877

CONTAINER FOR TRANSPORTING AND STORING LIQUEFIED GASES Filed July 22, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 III INVENTOR BY I mim H. D. EDWARDS Dec. 5, 1933.

' CONTAINER FOR TRANSPORTING AND STORING LIQUEFIED GASES Filed July 22. 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Patented Dec. 5, 1933 CONTAINER FOR TRANSPORTING AND STORING LIQUEFIED GASES Barry D. Edwards, Larchmont, N. Y., assignor to The Linde Air Products Company, a corpora- This tion of Ohio Application July 22, 1932. Serial No. 623,973

14 Claims.

invention relates to containers for transporting and storing liquefied gases, and particularly to containers which hold the gas material under pressure and do not have their outer 5 walls thermally insulated from the normal temperature environment.

The invention has for its object generally to provide improved containers of the character indicated which may be readily constructed and are adapted readily to receive and vaporize a charge of liquefied gas and retain the same at a desired pressure.

Another object is to provide a container of the pressure variety for liquefied gases which has an inner receptacle or basket for the liquefied gas which is constructed in a manner adapted to be easily installed, removed, or repaired.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplifled in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in

which i Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a container constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig.

3 is a vertical sectional view showing another form of container constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 4 is a view of the inner receptacle of the container illustrated in Fig. 3 after it is folded Fig.

5 is a view of the top of the inner re- Fig. 6.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, a container is shown which comprises an outer tubular vessel or shell 10 made of metal and provided with a thin metal receptacle or basket 11 removably supported within shell.

and spaced from the inner surface of the The shell 10 may be conveniently made from a section of standard seamless tubing of appropriate diameter, length and wall thickness, the length being preferably much greater than the diameter. The ends of the shell 10 are preferably reduced and provided with necks 12 and out-turned flanges 13 of smaller diameter than the body of the shell, thus providing open throats 14 which are normally closed by removable covers 15 that have threaded apertures 16. To insure against leakage at the joints between the covers 15 and the flanges 13, suitable packing and clamping means are employed; to this end the flange 13 is shown as provided with an annular groove 17 for receiving a packing 18 and a corresponding annular ridge 19 that is provided on the opposing face of the cover 15. Each cover is secured in place by a split clamping ring 20 having an annular recess 21 adapted to receive the edge of a flange and the adjoining peripheral edge of a cover 15. The side walls of the recess 21 desirably converge toward the bottom of the recess so as to increase progressively the pressure of the cover against the packing face of the flange as the two sections of the clamp 20 are drawn together by the securing bolts 22. The clamps 20 are preferably no greater in outer diameter than that of the body of the container 10, and may be readily loosened to remove the covers, each of which may be handled without special equipment since its area, and therefore its weight, is comparatively small.

The inner receptacle 11, which is adapted to contain the liquefied gas, is a foldable basket here shown as trough-shaped and disposed axially within the shell 10. The receptacle 11 is preferably formed of flexible material which is plastic and bendable so that the receptacle 11, when empty, may be folded and reduced to a suitable cross-sectional dimension in order to be passed endwise through either throat 14, when desired. It is also desirable that the receptacle be arranged to be folded into its troughlike form from a single or multi-ply sheet so that the receptacle will be free from joints or seams. Furthermore, the material of the receptacle 11 is of a character such 'that its ductility and strength will not be substantially reduced by the low temperature of the liquld'which it holds, for example of sheet aluminum ora copper hearing alloy in one or more layers.

The receptacle 11 is preferably supported within the shell 10, so that its open side will be uppermost when the container is disposed horizontally on its sideyand so that the receptacle may be properly positioned in the shell and no removed and replaced with but little difficulty. As shown, the suspension means consists of a pair of spaced cables 23, disposed lengthwise of the interior of the shell. These cables are located in the upper part of the shell 10, and are spaced apart about the same distance as the side walls of the receptacle 11. The opposite ends of each cable may be adjustabiy and detachably connected to hooks 24 and 25 secured to the inside of the shell near its ends. One end of each cable is made fast to a clevis 26 which is connected to either of the end hooks 24 and 25 by a link means 27; and the other end of each cable is made fast to a turnbuckle 28 which carries a threaded hook 29 that is adapted to hook over the remaining hook of a pair 24, 25. The turnbuckles serve to tighten the cables when they are assembled, or readily to loosen them when the receptacle is to be removed. If desired. additional hooks 30 may be welded to the inside of the shell between and in line with the hooks 24 and 25 to receive the cables and support them at intermediate points. Suitable means is provided to suspend the receptacle 11 from the cables 23, for example, a reinforcing wire 31 is secured along the upper edge of the receptacle 11 and openings 32 may be cut through the wall at intervals along the wire to accommodate suspension rings 34 which encircle the exposed parts of the reinforcing wire and the adjoining cable to support the receptacle along its side edges. This receptacle supporting means is highly advantageous in that the area of contacting metal through which heat may be transferred from the shell 10 to the receptacle 11 is reduced to a relatively small amount.

Since the basket is long and comparatively shallow, its walls may be relatively thin while possessing the requisite strength to hold the liquefied gas and it is so supported that the conduction of heat from the wall of the container to the liquefied gas within the basket is reduced to a low rate.

A metal shield is preferably disposed inside the shell directly beneath the receptacle 11 to shield the shell from direct contact with liquefied gas which may overflow or leak from the receptacle 11. This shield preferably has bosses 36 to support it upon, and otherwise mainly space it from the bottom of the shell.

One dr more suitable liquid filling openings 37, each provided with a closure 38, are located at convenient places in the wall of the shell 10 over the open top of the receptacle 11. A pipe 39 for introducing liquefied gas through the shell and depositing it in the lower portion of the receptacle, is preferably disposed in one such opening. To this end a pipe having a flange 40 resting on a shoulder 41 is shown removably mounted in the opening 3'7, at the left-hand end of the shell depicted in Fig. 1. Likewise, valves 42, for controlling the release of gas from the shell, are preferably secured in the threaded, apertures 16 in the end covers 15, and suitable protective caps 43 for said valves removably coupled to the threaded bosses 44 of the covers 15.

To assist the transfer of heat from the atmosphere to the container, according to the present invention the exterior of the shell 10 is advantageously provided with an appropriate number offlns45whlchnotonlyservetocollectand transfer heat to, but also reinforce the walls of the container. These fins are shown as comprising annular metal plates tightly fitting the shell and suitably spaced along the same.

To remove the receptacle 11 from the shell 10, one or both covers 15 are first removed. then cables 23 are slackened by turning the turnbuckles 28, and the cables unhooked. The receptacle 11 is then folded about the cables, and withdrawn together with the cable assembly lengthwise through either neck of the container. Likewise, by a reversal of this procedure, the receptacle and assembly may be reassembled in the container.

In Fig. 3 is shown a container which comprises an outer tubular metal shell 48 within which is suspended a thin metal receptacle or basket 49. The shell 48 is provided with an opening 50 of reduced diameter which is covered by a closure means 51. The closure 51 is provided with a threaded filling opening 52 and a threaded discharge opening 53 and is drawn down on the flange 54 surrounding the opening 50 by bolts 55. At the lower closed end of the shell 48 a foot ring 56 is provided for supporting the shell in a vertical position.

The basket 49 is formed of thin, foldable metal of suitable dimensions so that when expanded in position within the shell 48, a desired narrow space obtains between the inner wall of the shell 48 and the basket 49. In the center of the closed bottom of the basket is a plate of metal 57 for reinforcing this portion of the basket. At the upper open edge of the basket 49 is disposed a plurality of reinforcing and supporting strips 58 and 59. The strips 59 are here shown to be narrower than the strips 58, and both the strips 58 and 59 are provided at their upper ends with apertures for engaging with the supporting studs 60. Cotter pins 61 are inserted in holes drilled through the studs 60 near their ends to lock on the supporting strips 58 and 59. The studs 60 are here shown attached to the wall of the shell 48 by a weld 62 which is deposited from the outside after the stud was passed through the wall of the shell.

To remove or insert the basket 49 into the shell 48, the basket is folded up as shown by elevation in Fig. 4 and by the top view of Fig. 5. The thin metal is folded up into pleats or flutes 63 so that the wide strips 58 are outermost and the narrow strips 59 are toward the center. The basket is thus folded to a diameter small enough to pass through the opening 50 of the shell 48. After the basket is placed in the shell, it is expanded to the desired shape and suspended from the studs 60.

Fig. 6 illustrates another container comprising a shell 65 within which is disposed a plurality of liquefied gas receptacles 66a, 66b, 66c, 66d, four such being used in the form of apparatus illustrated. The shell 65 has a closed bottom and an offset restricted opening 67 at the upper end. The center line of the opening 67 substantially coincides with the center line of one of the receptacles 66c and the opening 67 is just large enough to permit the containers 65a, 661:, etc., to be passed through. About opening 67 is disposed a flange 58 and there is provided a closure means 89 which is bolted to the flange 69 by means of bolts 70. Suitable means such as a gasket 71 is used for sealing the Joint between the flange 68 and closure 69. The closure 69 is provided with two threaded openings, the first being a filling opening '12 which has depending from it a filling conduit 73 to lead the liquefied gas into the container 66a, and the other being a discharge opening '74.

Substantially coinciding with the main center line of shell is a rod '15 arranged to support the receptacle 66a, 66b, etc., so that they do not touch the walls of the shell 65. To this end supporting frames 76 and 7'7 are mounted on the rod '75 near its lower and upper ends. These frames are made in parts of a size that may be passed through the opening 67 and have portions which encircle and hold the receptacles 66a, 661), etc. The frames 76 and '17 are held from slipping downward by collars 78 and 79 fixed to the rod 75. The rod is rotatably mounted in bearings at each end. The lower end is held in a pivot bearing 80 fixed at the bottom of shell 65 and the upper end is rotatably mounted in a bracket bearing 81 which is attached to shell 65 by means of screw 82. The containers thus are so mounted that they may be rotated about an axis substantially that of the shell 65 and therefore may each in turn be moved into position for removal through the opening 67.

To conduct liquid from one receptacle to the other the upper portions of all but one are provided with overflow conduits 83a, 83b, etc. In the container illustrated four inner receptacles are used and therefore there are three overflow conduits 83a, 83b and 830. These conduits are attached to their respective receptacles (conduit 83a is attached to receptacle 66a) in such mannet that they may be rotated in the joint to a vertical position when it is desired to remove the receptacle through opening 67. To this end, the upper portion of each receptacle which has an overflow conduit is flattened inward in the vicinity of the joint. The receptacles are successively shorter so that liquid may flow successively from one to the other; that is, receptacle 66a is the longest, 66b and 66c being successively shorter, while 66d being the shortest, carries no overflow conduit.

In this form of apparatus, when liquefied gas is introduced through filling opening 72, it will fall into and fill to overflowing receptacle 66a, after which gas material will overflow from receptacle 660 into receptacle 66b until it also is full to overflowing. The receptacles are thus successively filled until the last one is filled when the filling operation will have been completed. Liquid level gauging means (not shown in the interest of clearness) may be used in connection with the last receptacle to show when it is full.

From the above, it is seen that there is pro vided in accordance with the present invention an improved container for vaporizing liquefied gases and storing the gas material at a desired pressure. The construction according to the invention provides a container that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and install. The container may be constructed of lengths of readily available sizes of seamless tubing which being long in comparison to their diameter permit the wall of the container to be relatively light and yet sufllciently strong to resist the desired high gas storage pressures. Since the ends of the container are reduced to a smaller diameter, the use of relatively small and readily removable endclosures of reduced weight and bulk is permitted. The present construction of the basket or inner receptacle and its means 01' suspension within the container shell also allows the use of the desired smaller end-closures. The assembly of the basket within the container shell and its removal for repair are facilitated by the present construction.

In the operation, the liquefied gas is introduced into the basket through the filling opening. As the liquefied gas is introduced, the walls of the basket in contact with same are cooled substantially to the temperature of the liquefied gas and the heat contained in the walls causes vaporization of a portion of the liquefied gas. During the filling operation, the pressure within the container is relatively close to atmospheric pressure and the gas produced by vaporization during the tilling operation is usually vented to the atmosphere. It is seen, therefore, that the thickness of the basket, and therefore its heat capacity, should be relatively small to avoid undue loss of gas material.

When the desired amount of liquefied gas has been placed into the basket. the container is closed and complete evaporation of the liquefied gas during a period of time will occur. The vaporization occurs at an increasing rate as the pressure within the container rises until vaporization is complete. The liquefied gas is, therefore, converted to gas stored in the container at a desired high pressure, from which it is withdrawn f ar use as desired.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A container for gas material comprising an uninsulated cylindrical shell having an open end and provided with a separable closure therefor, a thin metal receptacle within said shell adapted to hold gas material in the liquid phase, means permitting free communication between the interior of the receptacle and the space between the receptacle and the shell, and means associated with the interior shell wall for suspending said receptacle by a succession of point engagements therewith.

2. A container for gas material comprising an uninsulated cylindrical shell having an open end and provided with a separable closure therefor, a thin metal receptacle within said shell adapted to hold gas material in the liquid phase, means permitting free communication between the interior oi the receptacle and the space between the receptacle and the shell, ring suspension means associated with said receptacle, and complementary means associated with said shell wall for engaging said ring means.

3. A container for gas material comprising an uninsulated cylindrical shell having an open end and provided with a separable closure therefor, a thin metal receptacle within said shell adapted to hold gas material in the liquid phase, means permitting free communication between the interior of the receptacle and the space between the receptacle and the shell, attaching devices projecting inwardly from the interior shell wall, and means of relatively poor heat conductivity on said receptacle for engaging with said projecting means.

4. A container for gas material comprising an I uninsulated cylindrical shell having an open end 140 and provided with a separable closure therefor, a thin metal receptacle within said shell adapted to hold gas material in the liquid phase, means permitting free communication between the interior of the receptacle and the space between the receptacle and the shell, and hook and cable means on the interior of said shell wall for suspending said receptacle.

5. A container for gas material comprising a cylindrical shell having an end reduced to pro- 150 vide an end-opening of a diameter less than the interior diameter of the unreduced shell portion, a thin metal receptacle 0! a size adapted to be passed through said end-opening. means permitting free communication between the interior of the receptacle and the space between the receptacle and the shell, and means within said shell for suspending said receptacle therein in a position to receive gas material.

6. A container for gas material comprising a cylindrical shell having an end reduced to provide an end-opening of a diameter less than the interior diameter 01 the unreduced shell portion, a thin metal open receptacle 0! a size adapted to be passed through said end-opening, and means within said shell for suspending said receptacie in spaced relation to the interior wall or said shell in a position adapted to receive a charge of liquefied gas.

'1. A container for gas material comprising a cylindrical shell having an end reduced to provide an end-opening of a diameter less than the interior diameter 01 the unreduced shell portion, and a foldable thin metal receptacle adapted to hold liquefied gas suspended within said shell so that its opening is adjacent to the end opening of said shell.

8. A container for gas material comprising a cylindrical shell having an end reduced to provide an end-opening of a diameter less than the interior diameter oi the unreduced shell portion, closure means for sealing said end opening, said closure being provided with an aperture adapted for the introduction of gas material, a loldable thin metal receptacle within said shell, and means within said shell for suspending the same in a position to receive gas material introduced through said aperture.

9. A container for gas material comprising a cylindrical shell having its ends reduced to provide end-openings oi diameters less than the interlor diameter of the unreduced portion of said shell, a collapsible thin metal trough distended in said shell in a position for holding gas material. detachable means for suspending said trough from the interior walls of said shell, and closure means for said end-openings.

10. A container for gas material comprising a cylindrical shell having an end reduced to provide an end-opening or a diameter less than the interior diameter or the unreduced shell portion, a plurality of receptacles suspended within said shell in a position adapted to receive a charge or liquefied gas material, and closure means tor said end-opening.

11. A container for gas material comprising a cylindrical shell having an end reduced to provide an end-opening of a diameter less than the interior diameter oi. the unreduced shell portion, a plurality oi thin metal receptacles each or a size adapted to pass through said end-opening, means for suspending said receptacles within said shell in a position adapted to receive a charge or liquefied gas material, and closure means for said end-opening.

12. A container for gas material comprising a cylindrical shell adapted for use with its main axis substantially horizontal and having ends or reduced diameter, closures for sealing said ends or a size such that the extreme diameter is less than the outside diameter 0! said shell, and a thin walled receptacle disposed within said shell and detachably suspended from the walls thereof having an opening in its upper portion adjacent to a filling opening in the wall of said shell.

13. A container for gas material comprising a cylindrical shell adapted for use withits main axis substantially horizontal and having ends of reduced diameter, closures for sealing said ends of a size such that the extreme diameter is less than the outside diameter of said shell, said shell having a closable filling aperture through its wall, a thin metal trough shaped receptacle for holding liquefied gas disposed axially within said shell having its opening below said filling aperture, and detachable means for suspending said receptacle from the walls of said container without direct contact between the receptacle and said container whereby said receptacle may be folded to smaller transverse dimensions for removal through the end-openings oi said shell.

14. A container for gas material comprising a cylindrical pressure resistant substantially horizontally disposed shell having ends 0! reduced diameter, end closures for said ends having extreme diameters less than the main outside diameter of said shell, said closures being provided with means for withdrawing gas material, a thin i'oldable metal trough shaped receptacle for holding liquefied gas disposed within said shell, and detachable means for suspending said receptacle from the walls oi said shell.

HARRY D. EDWARDS. 

